Looking for best streamer without DAC under $3500

+1 rbstehno

Magna Mano Ultra i2s into DirectStream DAC.
You can run any music service you want.
If you just want to add Spotify a Blu N100 toslink out for $300 is plenty. Just ignore the WiFi and built in DAC - both shitty.

@rbstenho, what setup did you go to that utilizes I2S? I have a terminator with I2S and am looking for a streamer that utilizes I2S.

My 2 cents......

Simaudio Moon Mind 2

https://simaudio.com/en/product/mind2-network-player/?v=7516fd43adaa

or

Bryston BDP-3

https://bryston.com/digital-audio/bdp3/

These retail at around 4K, but you can find them in your price range from several retailers.
I am currently using the Bryston (connected with AES). You can also find some pretty good deals on used v1 and v2 from time to time. I absolutely love the thing.  I also use Roon exclusively, so I can't speak to usefulness of the the Moon or Bryston app.

I have heard and liked the LUMIN U1 mini, I also love the look of it, my only issue with it was the switched power supply, so I never went down that road.

Why do you need a streamer like Aurlaic or a Lumin? Any 1 of these streamers mentioned above are just computers with some proprietary software. A few years back, I used the typical setup, a dedicated Auralic Aries hooked up to my external dac using USB and a few of the typical tweaks to usb. At the time, Aurlaic sounded better than the Lumin or Aurender streamers and had the best software on the iPad to control the Aries. 
I got rid of all that USB crap, the auralic Aries, and the external dac and went with a network attached dac, Roon running on a dedicated Mac mini, and the SQ is much better and the whole setup is much simpler.
My takeaways were: never use a computer/streamer in the audio room, never use USB if you want good sq, and get the best dac you can afford that uses ethernet or I2S interfaces.

+2 for LUMIN U1 mini. Made my Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC sound much clearer than USB from a music server.  

Have both a Lumin T2 and an Innuos Zenith MK3 and would highly recommend both.  I prefer the Lumin app and interface though so it would have the edge if I had to pick one.

NAD M10 

Find a used lumin t2

+1 for Lumin U1 Mini.

Happy to give a second vote for Innuous Zen
MK 3. Dave at Audio Doctor gave me a very good deal. With Roon I’m 100% happy!

Bricasti M5.  It sounds as good to me as my recently sold Aurender N10.  Small, Roon Ready, and great sounding after break in.

I’d get a used Innuos Zen Mklll, which I’d think should provide some sonic upside. But if not, just turn around and sell it for little/no loss so very little risk involved and use those funds to buy a Pavane Level 3, which will certainly yield improvements.  That’s what I’d do. Best of luck.

OP
If you really want to try the D2, take a look at this
at the asking price it is just $1575 USD.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649607429-lumin-d2-silver-trade-in/

Has anyone compared the Lumin U1 Mini against the Auralic Aries G1?

Well its a fair price and you may find they would go down some given the current economic crisis.
I use Spotify on my phone only to play in the car as Qobuz beats it soundly in SQ at least in my system to my ears.
That said the Spotify catalog is larger than Qobuz so there is that for sure.

I'm sure it won't sound better that's how I would just use it as a streamer, but it would be fun to compare as well. I'm only considering it because it's cheaper than the mini.

The Ambre is really good, i just want spotify among other aps and yes I do use Roon. 

I honestly doubt the D2 would better your onyx/ambre combo.
Different yes
Better ? in the ears of the beholder.

I have an Aurender N100 and tbh I have just changed to using Roon, running core on my computer and using a Sonore Microrendu as a bridge then straight into my MHDT Orchid DAC and that sounds slightly better to my ears. A little more air and easier to pick out instruments, not quite as dark as the N100.

In fact I was considering buying an Onyx/Ambre combo using i2s to see what that sounds like.

The N100 does allow the use of Spotify but the sq on that is blown away by Qobuz hires imho

Right on. I may just have to pull the trigger on that.

How familiar are you with Lumin products? 

I enjoy the Metrum and tried a Mytek Brookyln for a short time but found it too be too bright/clinical sounding. But as most of us in this hobby, it's fun to upgrade to the next and best. I don't have the luxury of being able to demo to compare. 

Not silly at all, the added flexibility may come in handy at some point.

@dznutz  Would it be silly to get a D2 and use as a streamer? There's one on Audiogon for $1750 right now. I see it has a BNC/Coax.

Lumin U1 mini